How different are the DK35 DK45 and DK40

[canoetrpr]

I've driven the DK35 but I've not seen the DK40SE and 45SE.

Question to anyone who has seen them upclose. How different are they in design / build / fit and finish. Pretty much the same as the DK35 but with more hp or quite different ?

 

[IslandTractor]

These tractors are more similar than different and all have electric 4WD and PTO as well as the same basic body. The DK40se and DK45se are a bit longer and have higher ground clearance mostly due to bigger tires. There is not a huge difference in horsepower (38, 41 and 45) but the 35 has a 3 cylinder engine while the 40 and 45 share 4 cylinder naturally aspirated engines (45 has 10% more displacement from the same block). The major difference that pushed me away from the DK35se to the DK40se was the difference in the matching loaders. Check out the specifications on the KL351 (fits only the DK35se) versus the KL401 (fits both the DK40se and DK45se). Lift capacity is almost double with the KL401 compared to the 351(2700lbs vs 1400lbs ). The 35 has slightly less (15.2 vs 16.8) gpm hydraulic flow than the 40/45 too.

The difference between the DK40se and DK45se is basically different tires, 200cc of displacement and 4hp. On the quotes I got the price difference between those two was almost $2000 so for my purposes the sweet spot in the new DK line up was the DK40se HST.

I've been very impressed with the DK40se and especially with the KL401. I have only minor gripes (mostly related to the narrow "standard" QA adapter). The operator station is very comfortable, roomy and efficient. I do wish I had bought some wheel weights or had the tires loaded both for traction and to counterbalance the loader. The 40 can easily spin all four tires even with a mower as ballast and with R4 tires rapidly digs divots in turf or dirt. I can also very easily lift the rear of the tractor while lifting heavy objects like big rocks or when pulling out a stump. The loader really requires more than the 500-600lbs counterbalance you get with a mower or box blade.

 

[canoetrpr]

I have to completely agree on the KL401 and the sweet spot argument specs wise. I found the capacity of the loader astounding - quite a bit more than others in its class.

 

[canoetrpr]

BTW IslandTractor - get those tires loaded! My Kubota L3400 has proably half or less the capacity of your DK40 but I noticed a HUGE difference with loaded tires. Not pleasant having your rears off the ground - been there done that!.

I imagine that it is much more stable with your BH on and the rears off the ground must have been with the BH off?

 

[IslandTractor]

BTW IslandTractor - get those tires loaded! My Kubota L3400 has proably half or less the capacity of your DK40 but I noticed a HUGE difference with loaded tires. Not pleasant having your rears off the ground - been there done that!.

I imagine that it is much more stable with your BH on and the rears off the ground must have been with the BH off?

Loading the tires or getting wheel weights is high on the "to do" list.

 

[mike69440]

Loading the tires or getting wheel weights is high on the "to do" list.

Both seem like a good idea! That rock say a lot for that K401 loader.

That loader is near the capacity of the Kubota L39 loader and I have my machine ballasted to +8,100 lbs. I find it still scary carrying rocks like you show over uneven ground. I have 1100 lbs-1300 lbs of extra weight on my L39, depending on bucket or grapple.

see

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/109702-i-made-sure-i-wass.html

 

[IslandTractor]

Both seem like a good idea! That rock say a lot for that K401 loader.

That loader is near the capacity of the Kubota L39 loader and I have my machine ballasted to +8,100 lbs. I find it still scary carrying rocks like you show over uneven ground. I have 1100 lbs-1300 lbs of extra weight on my L39, depending on bucket or grapple.

Believe me, it was uncomfortable sitting on the tractor while carrying that rock especially as I was driving it to a cliff to drop it off the edge into the ocean. Lots of feathering of the FEL joystick to keep it low but not touching.

The KL401 loader is a brute. I naively didn't think I'd need to get more ballast because the tractor weighs about 4000lb and I always have a 500lb implement on the 3PT. I have learned my lesson and would strongly advise anyone getting the DK40se or 45se to get the tires loaded by the dealer. I've been spending a lot of time in the past few days figuring out how best to add more ballast. I'm leaning towards windshield wiper fluid as a do it yourself project but would prefer Rimguard and might try to do that myself.

 

[mike69440]

Some day you will want that rock for landscaping.

 

[IslandTractor]

Some day you will want that rock for landscaping.

Lots more where that one came from. It was in a field that I am clearing of brush and want to be able to mow with a riding mower. This is on conservation land and we have a wonderful not too young lady in our neighborhood who loves to hop on her JD and mow during the summer...just have to make sure that there are no obstructions or she will not mow those areas.